What? No penance? Father Brennan moved right into the absolution, and hurriedly, Gabriel made a whispered act of contrition. He crossed himself as the absolution was given, though his mind was still distracted. Perhaps father Brennan believed his harsh warnings had served as penance.

"Deo Gratias." He muttered, when the prayer of absolution was done. "Thank you, father." He got up, eager to leave and nurse his wounds in the privacy of his room.

By the time he was up the stairs, the glimpse of light that father Brennan's last advice had offered was clouded over by the memory of father Morgan's warnings that he had been too easy on himself and that it was a sign either of lack of love for God or perverse self-centeredness.

The bedroom door fell heavy behind him and the darkness of the room stared at him.